Daily Archives: October 31, 2005

AstroWorld turns out the lights

Posted on October 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

And so it ends: After 37 years, AstroWorld is closing its doors for good. While we wait to see who buys the land it sits on and what they decide to build there in its place, here’s a one last … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Guaranteed!

Posted on October 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Lottery Commission is set to take action on the recent sore spot of overinflated jackpots by passing a rule to guarantee prize amounts. If the proposed rule is adopted, the grand prize winner will be paid either the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | 2 Comments

Alito

Posted on October 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

As was the case with Harriet Miers, I’m not going to have too much to say about the current SCOTUS nominee, Samuel Alito. We’ll all be up to our collective clavicles in commentary on this one, so I see no … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 2 Comments

Another quality committee from Governor Perry

Posted on October 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Grits tells the sad yet predictable tale of what happens when Governor Perry convenes a panel to identify flaws in Texas’ criminal justice system and suggest possible reforms “from the initial stage of investigation into a crime to appellate and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Another quality committee from Governor Perry

McMartin student apologizes

Posted on October 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

This is fascinating. Remember the McMartin Preschool and the intense national hysteria that followed accusations that the owners and their employees spent the days molesting their young charges? It all eventually fell apart as the extremely shoddy interviewing techniques, coupled … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on McMartin student apologizes

RIP, Richard Smalley

Posted on October 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Richard Smalley, a professor at Rice who shared in a Nobel prize for his co-discovery of buckyballs, died last week at the age of 62. Born on June 6, 1943, in Akron, Ohio, Smalley’s childhood was one of middle America … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment